Office snacks ‘increasing the nation’s waistlines’

Snacking in the office is leading to people in desk-based jobs putting on up to a stone a year in weight, it has been claimed.

A survey of office workers carried out by fashion retailer High and Mighty found that half of women have put on weight in the past year, with the food they eat at their desk a major contributor.

As well as the lack of activity that desk-based workers have during their normal day, the provision of doughnuts, cakes, buns and biscuits by colleagues is also a factor in weight gain.

Gill Politis, managing director of High and Mighty, explained that people will lose weight and gain it throughout their life, as it is unavoidable in some circumstances, but people are far more likely to gain it during their office life.

"The tremendous camaraderie as well as competition in the workplace with people bringing in treats leads to a competitive spirit that says 'my chocolate cake is better than yours'. It's the perfect storm that conspires against the diet-conscious," she added.

Are you guilty of snacking in the office?